Apparatus and method of holding a golf score card and writing instrument, and golf bag and system incorporating the same

ABSTRACT

An apparatus, method, and system, for holding a golf score card and a writing instrument. The invention, in one aspect, comprises a structure having a retaining portion adapted to receive a writing instrument with a golf score card folded about the writing instrument. The retaining portion comprises an elongated cavity having a length, a top end, and a bottom end; a slot forming a slot-like opening into a side of the elongated cavity, the slot extending along the axial length of the cavity from the top end of the elongated cavity toward the bottom end of the elongated cavity. The slot is narrower than the elongated cavity. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the elongated cavity and/or the slot will be tapered in a manner so that as a writing instrument with a golf score card folded about the writing instrument is slidably inserted into the elongated cavity via an open top end, the writing instrument and golf score card are engaged by frictional contact with the structure. In some embodiments of the system and method of the present invention, it is not necessary that the elongated cavity be tapered or that the insertion technique comprise a sliding action.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of golf, and specifically to the field of apparatus and methods of holding a golf score card and writing instrument, and even more specifically to a holder accessory for a golf bag for holding a golf score card and writing instrument.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In playing golf, accessories such as the score card and pencil, in the absence of the use of a motorized cart, are normally carried by the golfer on the person and usually in his pocket. Such use is not always desirable because the points of the pencil make the carrying of these accessories in the user's pockets awkward and difficult to remove from the user's pocket when needed. This can distract a golfer from his/her game. Further, the score card as carried by the user, unless folded to a more compact condition, cannot be carried in the user's pocket; and when the score card is folded, carrying the score card in the pocket can damage/crush the card, obscuring the numerals as entered. In those circumstances, when the user either carries his own bag or pulls a hand cart, it is more desirable to carry the accessory articles on the bag itself so that they are always readily available for use.

Prior to the instant invention, some efforts have been made to attach accessory holders to golf bags or on the body of the person. However, the devices of the prior art either fail to provide a device that is practical for the purpose intended, are expensive to manufacture, and/or are cumbersome or bulky.

As will be described hereinafter, applicant has developed a unique accessory holder for mounting to, or integral fabrication into, a golf bag that provides for secure attachment of the holder to the golf bag and also insures that the golf score card and pencil are stored in the same place for easy removal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention solves the aforementioned, and other, shortcomings of prior art golf accessory holders. The invention, in one aspect is an apparatus for holding a golf score card and writing instrument comprising: a structure having a retaining portion adapted to receive a writing instrument with a golf score card folded about the writing instrument; an elongated cavity in the retaining portion, the elongated cavity having a length, a top end, and a bottom end; a slot in the retaining portion forming a slot-like opening into a side of the elongated cavity, the slot extending along the axial length of the cavity from the top end of the elongated cavity toward the bottom end of the elongated cavity; wherein the slot is narrower than the elongated cavity; wherein at least a portion of the elongated cavity and/or the slot is tapered in a manner so that as a writing instrument with a golf score card folded about the writing instrument is inserted into the elongated cavity via the open top end, the writing instrument and golf score card are engaged by frictional contact with the structure.

When a golfer desires to use the apparatus of the invention, he/she folds a golf score card around a writing instrument, such as a pencil, so that the writing instrument is in a creased portion of the folded golf score card. In embodiments of the invention where the top end of the elongated cavity is open, the golfer can slide the writing instrument and the creased portion of the folded golf score card into the elongated cavity via the open top end until the writing instrument and golf score card are engaged by frictional contact with either the cavity's wall and/or the slot's walls. A portion of the golf score card is allowed to protrude from the slot for ease of grip and future access.

In some embodiments, the structure will further comprise a receiving portion. In such embodiments, the receiving portion can comprise a funnel-like cavity and a generally V-shaped slot. The generally V-shaped slot forms an opening into a side of the funnel-like cavity. The receiving portion and the retaining portion are connected in an orientation so that the funnel-like cavity is in spacial cooperation with the open top end of the elongated cavity of the retaining portion. Thus, a single elongated cavity is formed. This orientation also ensures that he generally V-shaped is aligned with the slot of the retaining portion so that a contiguous slot is formed having a V-shaped top portion. The V-shaped top portion helps properly feed the golf score card and writing instrument into the elongated cavity.

The structure can be formed of a single piece of flexible material. A label recess can be provided in the receiving portion of the structure above the funnel-like cavity for advertising labels or the like. It is preferred that the combined length of the receiving portion and the retaining portion of the structure be between 3 and 5 inches, and most preferably approximately 4 inches. The bottom end of the elongated cavity is preferably open, but can be closed if desired

The structure can be integrally formed into a portion of the golf bag during manufacture or mounted/retrofitted to an existing golf bag. Is some embodiments of the invention, the invention will preferably further comprise the golf bag.

In order to facilitate golf bag mounting, the invention can further comprise means to secure the structure to a golf bag. Acceptable means include pins or tie straps extending from a back side of the structure. Another mounting techniques includes the use of a clamp bracket positioned interior of the golf bag, the clamp bracket sandwiching the golf bag's material between the clamp bracket and the structure when the clamp bracket engages the structure. Still another mounting technique can utilize a mounting flange(s).

The elongated cavity preferably has a generally circular cross-sectional profile along the length. In this embodiment, it is even further preferable that the circular cross-sectional profile of at least a portion of the elongated cavity taper from a first diameter within a range of ½ to ¼ inch to a second diameter within a range of ⅓ to ⅛ inch. Most preferably, the circular cross-sectional profile of at least a portion of the elongated cavity will taper from a first diameter of approximately 11/32 inch to a second diameter of approximately 9/32 inch. In some embodiments, the slot will not be tapered and have a width within the range of ¼ to 1/16 inch. All edges of the structure are preferably rounded.

In another aspect, the invention is a system for keeping score during golf comprising: a structure having a retaining portion; an elongated cavity in the retaining portion, the elongated cavity having a length, a top end, and a bottom end; a slot in the retaining portion forming a slot-like opening into a side of the elongated cavity, the slot extending along the axial length of the cavity from the top end of the elongated cavity toward the bottom end of the elongated cavity; wherein the slot is narrower than the elongated cavity; and a golf score card folded around a writing instrument so that the writing instrument is in a creased portion of the folded golf score card, the writing instrument and the creased portion of the folded golf score card positioned in the elongated cavity and engaged by the cavity's wall, a portion of the golf score card protruding from the slot.

In yet another aspect, the invention is a method of holding a golf score card and a writing instrument comprising: providing an apparatus comprising a structure having a retaining portion, an elongated cavity in the retaining portion, the elongated cavity having a length, a top end, and a bottom end, a slot in the retaining portion forming a slot-like opening into a side of the elongated cavity, the slot extending along the axial length of the cavity from the open top end of the elongated cavity toward the bottom end of the elongated cavity; wherein the slot is narrower than the elongated cavity; folding a golf score card around a writing instrument so that the writing instrument is in a creased portion of the folded golf score card; and inserting the writing instrument and the creased portion of the folded golf score card into the elongated cavity, a portion of the golf score card protruding from the slot.

When performing methods wherein the top end of the elongated cavity is open and either the elongated cavity and/or the slot is tapered, the inserting step can comprise sliding the writing instrument and the creased portion of the golf score card into the elongated cavity via the open top end until the writing instrument and the creased portion are engaged by frictional contact with either the cavity's wall and/or the slot's walls. However, in other embodiments, the inserting step can simply comprise pushing the creased portion of the golf score card and the writing instrument into the elongated cavity via the slot-like opening. In this embodiment, the cavity and/or slot does not have to be tapered and the top end does not have to be open.

The system and method of invention can include any, or all, of the details/characteristics discussed above with respect to the apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is top perspective view of a golf score card and pencil holder according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the golf score card and pencil holder of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the golf score card and pencil holder of FIG. 1 along line III-III of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the golf score card and pencil holder of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5A is a schematic of a pencil positioned on a golf score card in the process of being folded about the pencil according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5B is a schematic of the golf score card fully folded around the pencil so that the pencil is a creased portion of the golf score card according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5C is a schematic illustrating the golf score card and pencil of FIG. 5B being slidably inserted into the holder of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5D is a schematic illustrating the golf score card and pencil of FIG. 5C fully inserted into the holder of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a golf bag having the golf score card and pencil holder of FIG. 1 pin mounted thereto according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the golf bag of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a bottom portion of the golf bag of FIG. 5 with a portion of the golf bag cut away so that the pin mounting of the golf score card and pencil holder is visible.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a golf score card and pencil holder clamp mounted to a golf bag according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a top view of the golf bag of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a bottom portion of the golf bag of FIG. 9 with a portion of the golf bag cut away so that the clamp mounting of the golf score card and pencil holder is visible.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a golf score card and pencil holder strap mounted to a golf bag according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a top view of the golf bag of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a bottom portion of the golf bag of FIG. 12 with a portion of the golf bag cut away so that the strap mounting of the golf score card and pencil holder is visible.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a golf score card and pencil holder flange mounted to a golf bag according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention

FIG. 16 is a top view of the golf bag of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a bottom portion of the golf bag of FIG. 15 with a portion of the golf bag cut away so that the flange mounting of the golf score card and pencil holder is visible.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to FIG. 1, a golf score card and pencil holder 100 (referred to hereafter as “holder”) is illustrated according to one embodiment of the present invention. The holder 100 is a structure preferably formed of single piece of flexible material. Suitable flexible materials include, without limitation, nylon, plastics, poly-propylene, and the like. However, the present invention is not limited to being constructed of a flexible material but can be constructed out of any material, rigid or otherwise. For example, the holder 100 can be constructed of metals, polymers, wood, glass, cardboard, composite materials, or the like. Depending on the exact materials used, the holder 100 can be formed using injection molding, milling, lathing, machining, rolling, or the like.

The holder 100 comprises a retaining portion 10 and a receiving portion 20. The distinction between the retaining portion 10 and the receiving portion 20 is delineated by line A-B, wherein the receiving portion 20 is the portion of the holder 100 above line A-B and the retaining portion 10 is the portion of the holder 100 below line A-B. It should be noted that line A-B is added for convenience and ease of discussion only. Thos skilled in the art will understand that the exact location of the delineation between the receiving portion 20 and the retaining portion 10 along the axial length of the holder 100 can vary.

The retaining portion 10 is designed to slidably receive and frictionally engage a golf score card folded about pencil (or other writing instrument). The receiving portion 10 is designed to guide the pencil and golf score card into the retaining portion 10 of the holder 100 for storage and easy access. In some embodiments of the present invention, the holder will only comprise a retaining portion with the receiving portion being omitted. While not necessary to practice the invention, the addition of a receiving portion to the retaining portion is preferable to facilitate ease of use.

The receiving portion 20 of holder 100 forms a generally funnel shaped cavity 21. A label recess 23 is provided in the back wall of the funnel shaped cavity 21. The label recess 23 is provided for receiving an advertising label or a trademark label (not illustrated). While the label recess 23 is illustrated as being circular in shape, the recess 23 can be any size or shape. The depth of the recess is preferably chosen so that when a label is positioned therein, the label will be flush with the wall of the funnel shaped cavity 21 so as not to obstruct sliding access into the retaining portion 10.

The retaining portion 10 forms an elongated cavity 11 (best shown in FIG. 3) and a slot 12. The slot 12 forms a slot-like opening/passageway into the front/side wall of the elongated cavity 11. The slot 12 extends along the entire axial length of the elongated cavity 11 from an open top end 13 (FIG. 3) to an open bottom end 14. While the top end 13 and bottom end 14 are illustrated as being open (i.e., there is an opening into the top and bottom of the elongated cavity 11 along the axial direction), the top end and bottom end can be closed with a wall or other blocking structure if desired, such as a portion of a golf bag or a portion of the holder 100 itself. However, in order to facilitate slidable insertion of a golf score card and pencil, as discussed below, it is preferable that the top end 13 be open. The width of the slot 12 is narrower than the width of the elongated cavity 11 (best shown in FIG. 4). In the illustrated embodiment, the slot 12 of the retaining portion 10 has a substantially constant width. The width of the slot 12 is preferably within the range of ¼ to 1/16 inch, and most preferably ⅛ inch. However, the slot 12 can be designed to be any width, and the exact width will depend on the size of the writing instrument to be engaged by the retaining portion 10 of the holder 100. If desired, the slot 12 can be tapered, as will be discussed in more detail below.

Referring to FIG. 2, a front view of the holder 100 is illustrated. The receiving portion 20 comprises a generally V-shaped slot 22 which forms an opening into the front/side wall of the funnel shaped cavity 21. The generally V-shaped slot 22 is aligned with the slot 12 of the retaining portion 10 so as to form a single contiguous slot-like opening extending axially through both the receiving portion 20 and the retaining portion 10. As will be discussed below, the generally V-shaped slot 22 helps guide the golf score card into the slot 12 of the retaining portion 10.

Referring to FIG. 3, a cross-sectional view of the holder 100 along view III-III of FIG. 2 is illustrated. The receiving section 20 of holder 100 forms a funnel shaped cavity 21 for receiving and directing the golf score card and pencil into the elongated cavity 11. The funnel shaped cavity is in spacial cooperation with the open top end 13 of the elongated cavity 11, thereby forming a single contiguous tapered cavity along the entire axial length of the holder 100.

In some embodiments, the entire axial length of the holder 100 is between 3 and 5 inches, and most preferably approximately 4 inches. In such embodiments, the axial length of the retaining section 10 is preferably in the range of 1¼ to 2½ inch, and most preferably approximately 1⅝ inch, with the remaining length being formed by the receiving portion 20. As mentioned above, the retaining section 10 is designed to slidably receive and frictionally engage a golf score card folded about pencil (as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B). The retaining section 10 forms the elongated cavity 11.

The elongated cavity 11 extends an axial length from the open top end 13 to the open bottom end 14. The elongated cavity 11 tapers along its axial length from the open top end 13 to the open bottom end 14. The tapering of the elongated cavity 11 facilitates frictional engagement of the golf score card and pencil by the wall of the elongated cavity 11 as the pencil and golf score card are slidably inserted downward into the elongated cavity 11 via the open top end 13. The elongated cavity 11 has a generally circular cross-sectional profile (best visible in FIG. 4). However, the elongated cavity can take on any cross-sectional profile shape. When the cross-sectional profile is generally circular in shape, the circular cross-sectional profile of at least a portion of the elongated cavity 11 will taper from a first diameter within a range of ½ to ¼ inch to a second diameter within a range of ⅓ to ¼ inch. In the most preferred embodiment, the elongated cavity 11 tapers from a cross-sectional profile at open top end 13 of approximately 11/32 inch diameter to a cross-sectional profile at open bottom end 14 of approximately 9/32 inch diameter.

The holder 100 further comprises pins 30-32 (all three are visible in FIG. 4) protruding from rear surface 40. The pins 30-32 are supplied to facilitate the mounting/securing of the holder 100 to a golf bag. A single pin 30 is located at or near the bottom of the holder 100 while two pins 31-32 are located at or near the top of the holder 100. The pins 30-32 are preferably about 3/16 inch long and have a diameter of ⅛ inch. However, any sized pin can be used. The exact size (and number) of the pins will be dictated by the structure of the golf bag that the holder 100 is to be mounted to and the position of mounting thereon. The mounting of holder 100 to a golf bag via pins 30-32 will be discussed in greater detail below with respect to FIGS. 6-8.

Referring to FIG. 4, it is preferred that all exposed edges of the holder 100 be rounded, such as for example, the edges of the slots 12, 22 and the edges of the top and bottom of the holder 100.

Referring now to FIGS. 5A-5D, the method by which a golfer stores and uses his/her golf score card and pencil using the holder 100 of the present invention will no be described. The description of the method should also be read in view of FIG. 3 for understanding of the golf score card's 50 and pencil's 40 interaction with the structure and cavities of the holder 100.

Referring first to FIG. 5A, a pencil 40 (or other writing instrument) is first placed on a golf score card 50. The ends of the golf score card 50 are then bent upwards and inwards toward one another, as indicated by arrows 60.

As shown in FIG. 5B, the ends of the golf score card 50 continue to be bent upward and inward until the ends of the golf score card 50 touch or almost touch, resulting in the pencil 40 being a crease (or bend) 51 of the golf score card 50.

As shown in FIG. 5C, once the golf score card 50 is folded about the pencil 40 (with the pencil 40 is in the crease 51), the pencil 40 and the golf score card 50 are slidably inserted into the holder 100. During insertion, the crease portion 51 of the golf score card 51 and the pencil 40 are axially aligned wit the holder 100 and inserted into the funnel shaped cavity 21 of the receiving portion 20. The funnel shaped cavity 21 is sized to easily receive the golf score card 50 and the pencil 40 with room to spare. At this time, the flap portions 52 of the golf score card 50 will protrude out the V-shaped slot 22.

As the golf score card 50 and pencil 40 are inserted further into the funnel shaped cavity 21 along the direction of arrow 70, the creased portion 51 of the golf score card 50 and the pencil 40 will pass through the open top end 13 of the elongated cavity 11. The flap portions 52 of the goof score card 50 will also be received and slide into the slot 12, protruding therefrom.

As the sliding of the golf card 50 and pencil 40 continues deeper into the elongated cavity 11 (i.e. in the direction of arrow 70), the creased portion 51 of the golf score card 50 and the pencil 40 are frictionally engaged by the walls of the elongated cavity 11. This results from the tapered nature of the elongated cavity 11. The strength of the frictional engagement continues as the golf score card 50 and pencil 40 are pushed further into the elongated cavity 11, until the golf score card 50 and the pencil 40 are fully inserted in the holder 100, as illustrated in FIG. 5D.

While the tapering of the elongated cavity 11 in the illustrated embodiment facilitates the frictional engagement of the golf score 50 card and the pencil 40 within the holder 100, it is also possible to facilitate the frictional engagement by tapering the width of the slot 12. The slot 12 can be tapered instead of, or in addition to, the tapering of the elongated cavity 11.

Referring now to FIGS. 6-8, the holder 100 is illustrated as being mounted to a golf bag 90 via pins 30-32. When so mounted, the pins 30-32 penetrate and extend through the material of the golf bag 90. The holder 100 is then fixed in place using push nuts 37 in the interior of the golf bag 90.

Referring to FIGS. 9-11, a holder 110 is illustrated as being mounted to a golf bag 90 with a clamp bracket 38. When clamp mounted, the holder 110 is attached to the inside of the golf bag 90 by sandwiching the material 91 of the golf bag 90 between the clamp bracket 38 and the rear surface of the holder 110. In this embodiment, the holder 110 is mounted in such manner that only the guide slots and cavities of the holder 110 are visible from the exterior of the golf bag 90. The mounting technique of mounting the holder to the golf bag in such a fashion that only the slots and cavities are visible from the exterior of the golf bag can be adapted to any of the mounting techniques discussed herein.

Referring to FIGS. 12-14, a holder 120 is illustrated as being mounted to a golf bag 90 with tie straps 39. The tie straps 39 extend through the holder 120 and fasten inside of the golf bag 90.

Referring to FIGS. 15-17, a holder 130 is illustrated as being mounted to a golf bag 90 with flanges 41. The flanges 41 (only one is visible) are located on both sides of the material 91 of the golf bag 90 and mounted together via a tight fir or snap assembly. However, the flanges 41 can be screwed or otherwise secured to one another.

All of the mountings techniques discussed above can be performed during the factory manufacture of a golf bag or can be performed to retrofit existing golf bags. The holder can be positioned anywhere on the golf bag and can even be incorporated into a structure of the golf bag itself. For example, the holder can be molded or formed directly into a plastic ring, block, or other element of the golf bag. In such embodiments, the structure of the holder will be the plastic element of the golf bag itself and only the cavities and slots will be visible form the exterior of the golf bag.

While the holder of the present invention has been described as having a tapered elongated cavity and/or slot for slidably receiving a golf score card and pencil, the system and method of the present invention is not so limited. In some embodiments, the invention will be a system for keeping score during golf. In such aspects, the top end of the elongated cavity can be open or closed. Neither the elongated cavity nor the slot must be tapered to engage the pencil and the creased portion of the golf card. In embodiments where the top end of the elongated cavity is closed, the creased portion of the golf score card and the pencil can be pushed/popped into the elongated cavity via the slot-like opening formed by the slot. Because the slot will still be narrower than the elongated cavity in these aspects, the golf score card and pencil will be retained within the elongated cavity. Any and/or all of the details discussed above can be incorporated into such aspects of the invention if so desired.

While the invention has been described and illustrated in detail, various alternatives and modifications will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. An apparatus for holding a golf score card and writing instrument comprising: a structure having a retaining portion adapted to receive a writing instrument with a golf score card folded about the writing instrument; an elongated cavity in the retaining portion, the elongated cavity having a length, a top end, and a bottom end; a slot in the retaining portion forming a slot-like opening into a side of the elongated cavity, the slot extending along the axial length of the cavity from the top end of the elongated cavity toward the bottom end of the elongated cavity; wherein the slot is narrower than the elongated cavity; wherein at least a portion of the elongated cavity and/or the slot is tapered in a manner so that as a writing instrument with a golf score card folded about the writing instrument is inserted into the elongated cavity via the open top end, the writing instrument and golf score card are engaged by frictional contact with the structure.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the structure further comprises a receiving portion comprising a funnel-like cavity and a generally V-shaped slot forming an opening into a side of the funnel-like cavity, wherein the funnel-like cavity is in spacial cooperation with the open top end of the elongated cavity of the retaining portion and the generally V-shaped is aligned with the slot of the retaining portion.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the structure is formed of a single piece of flexible material.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a label recess in the receiving portion of the structure above the funnel-like cavity.
 5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein combined length of the receiving portion and the retaining portion of the structure is between 3 and 5 inches.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the top end of the elongated cavity is open.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means to secure the structure to a golf bag.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the securing means comprise pins or tie straps extending from a back side of the structure.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a golf bag, the structure integrally formed into a portion of the golf bag or mounted to the golf bag.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the structure is mounted to the golf bag by a clamp bracket positioned interior of the golf bag, the clamp bracket sandwiching the golf bag's material between the clamp bracket and the structure when the clamp bracket engages the structure.
 11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the structure is mounted to the golf bag by a mounting flange.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the elongated cavity has a generally circular cross-sectional profile along the length.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the circular cross-sectional profile of at least a portion of the elongated cavity tapers from a first diameter within a range of ½ to ¼ inch to a second diameter within a range of ⅓ to ⅛ inch.
 14. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the slot is not tapered, the slot having a width within the range of ¼ to 1/16 inch.
 15. The method of claim 1 wherein all edges of the structure are rounded.
 16. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a receiving portion comprising a funnel-like cavity and a generally V-shaped slot forming an opening into a side of the funnel-like cavity, wherein the top end of the elongated cavity is open, wherein the funnel-like cavity is in spacial cooperation with the open top end of the elongated cavity of the retaining portion and the generally V-shaped is aligned with the slot of the retaining portion; a label recess in the receiving portion of the structure above the funnel-like cavity; a golf bag, the structure integrally formed into a portion of the golf bag or secured to the golf bag; wherein the structure is formed of a single piece of flexible material; wherein the elongated cavity has a generally circular cross-sectional profile along the length; wherein the circular cross-sectional profile of at least a portion of the elongated cavity tapers from a first diameter of approximately 11/32 inch to a second diameter of approximately 9/32 inch; wherein the slot is not tapered, the slot having a width of approximately ⅛ inch; wherein combined length of the receiving portion and the retaining portion of the structure is approximately 4 inches.
 17. A system for keeping score during golf comprising: a structure having a retaining portion; an elongated cavity in the retaining portion, the elongated cavity having a length, a top end, and a bottom end; a slot in the retaining portion forming a slot-like opening into a side of the elongated cavity, the slot extending along the axial length of the cavity from the top end of the elongated cavity toward the bottom end of the elongated cavity; wherein the slot is narrower than the elongated cavity; and a golf score card folded around a writing instrument so that the writing instrument is in a creased portion of the folded golf score card, the writing instrument and the creased portion of the folded golf score card positioned in the elongated cavity and engaged by the cavity's wall, a portion of the golf score card protruding from the slot.
 18. The system of claim 17 further comprising a golf bag, the structure mounted to or integrated into the golf bag.
 19. A method of holding a golf score card and a writing instrument comprising: providing an apparatus comprising a structure having a retaining portion, an elongated cavity in the retaining portion, the elongated cavity having a length, a top end, and a bottom end, a slot in the retaining portion forming a slot-like opening into a side of the elongated cavity, the slot extending along the axial length of the cavity from the open top end of the elongated cavity toward the bottom end of the elongated cavity; wherein the slot is narrower than the elongated cavity; folding a golf score card around a writing instrument so that the writing instrument is in a creased portion of the folded golf score card; and inserting the writing instrument and the creased portion of the folded golf score card into the elongated cavity, a portion of the golf score card protruding from the slot.
 20. The method of claim 20 wherein the top end is open and the either the elongated cavity and/or the slot is tapered, the inserting step comprising sliding the writing instrument and the creased portion of the golf score card into the elongated cavity via the open top end until the writing instrument and the creased portion are engaged by frictional contact with either the cavity's wall and/or the slot's walls.
 21. The method of claim 21 wherein the inserting step comprises pushing the creased portion of the golf score card and the writing instrument into the elongated cavity via the slot-like opening. 